A source close to the negotiations on Monday told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) that the Norweigan fighter could drop a weight class to contend for the Japanese promotion's featherweight title, which is currently held by jiu-jitsu ace Bibiano Fernandes (7-2 MMA, 4-0 DREAM).

On the same show in which Hansen faltered against Aoki, the Vancouver-based Fernandes capped an impressive run to best top-10 ranked Hiroyuki Takaya for the vacant featherweight belt in the first-ever DREAM featherweight grand prix.

FiveOuncesofPain.com on Monday first reported the possibility of the bout, which it has only been agreed upon and has not been signed, sources told MMAjunkie.com. There is no official word from DREAM on a date or location for the event.

Hansen battled back from a loss in the quarterfinals of DREAM's 2008 Lightweight Grand Prix to avenge a December 2006 defeat to Aoki. With the DREAM.5 win, he claimed the promotion's first 155-pound title. But injuries kept Hansen on the shelf for 15 months, and Aoki submitted him with an armbar when the two met a third time at DREAM.11.

Nevertheless, Hansen is still considered one of the most talented lightweights in the world outside the UFC (after the UFC's buyout of PRIDE in 2007, he sat dormant for several months after refusing to fight for the American promotion). He runs his own MMA gym in Oslo, Norway.

Fernandes, meanwhile, has racked up six straight wins to accompany his DREAM belt. A multi-title holder in world jiu-jitsu championships, Fernandes has a just two career MMA losses, which came at the hands of former WEC featherweight champion Urijah Faber and notable Norifumi "Kid" Yamamoto.

Fernandes currently trains with the Revolution Fight Team in suburban Vancouver, B.C.

Very interesting, fighters cut don't tend to cut as much weight in Japan so this should be a big advantage for Hansen. Its a shame he has been so vocal against the UFC because if he is fighting at FW I would love to see him take on Aldo but I think its pretty doubtful.

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"If you get hit and it hurts hit him back you not knocked out yet."-Joe Doerksen

Wow very cool news. As long as the cut doesn't affect his cardio I think he'll have a nice size advantage there. I still see bigger wrestlers beating him, but he's no joke on the feet. I'd definitely take him against Fernandes. I'd also LOVE to see KID vs Hansen at FW.